Braulio Castillo faces murder charges of estranged wife

ASHBURN, Va. (WJLA) - Police say they found the body of Michelle Castillo inside this Virginia home on March 20. It initially appeared as though she had taken her own life, but investigators have determined that the mother of five was murdered by her estranged husband, Braulio Castillo.

During the couple’s contentious divorce, authorities say the victim had taken out a protective order on her husband. Neighbors we spoke with are aghast at the allegations and heartbroken for the children.

"It was totally a shock to us, a complete shock," said neighbor Neelima Narra.

You may also remember Braulio Castillo from his recent appearance at a congressional hearing in which Congresswoman Tammy Duckworth, herself a disabled veteran, blasted Castillo for claiming military disability in order to improve his chance of landing federal contracts for his tech company.

"Shame on you Mr. Castillo…[you] broke the trust of this great nation," said Rep. Duckworth.

As it turned out, Castillo injured his foot years earlier while at a military prep school. He claimed he lived with the pain every day.

"I hope that you think twice about the example that you are setting for your children," added Rep. Duckworth.

A reminder of this tragedy remains outside the house Castillo once shared with his family: on the edge of the driveway rests an unopened newspaper. The headline reads: “Ashburn man arrested for killing his wife.”

Castillo, 43, is now charged with first-degree murder and is being held at the Loudoun County Adult Detention Center on no bond.